Method for preparing unpopped popcorn kernels for popping and the product thereof



Feb. 15, 1955 J. D. KINSELLA 2,702,246

METHoD PoR PREPARING UNPOPPED PopcoRN xERNELs FOR POPPING, 'AND THE PRODUCT THEREOF Filed nov. 13,1952

QZ-760629502. Law/e612 Jwgc. y

United States Patent O METHOD FOR PREPARING UNPOPPED POPCORN KERNELS FOR POPPING AND THE PRODUCT THEREOF James D. Kinsella, St. Paul, Minn.

Application November 13, 1952, Serial No. 320,189

11 Claims. (Cl. 99-81) This invention relates to improvements in prepared and packaged foodstuff mixtures and has -for an object to provide a novel food admixture, the ingredients of which are packaged in such pre-measured relation that the same may be poured or otherwise removed, 1n bulk, from the package into a cooking container, and thereupon, cooked or prepared for consumption, and when so prepared, will be most palatable because of 1ts correctly proportioned ingredients.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a packaged pre-measured multi-ingredent foodstuff which may be efectually and satisfactorily prepared for consumption with but a minimum of effort and in a like period of time.

4Another object of the invention is to provide a multiingredient foodstuff which will be preserved in a state of maximum freshness over a prolonged period of time, thus ensuring the presence of its taste pleasing and satisfying characteristics when prepared for consumption, particularly so, by reason of the prevention of enzymatic reaction in certain of its ingredients,

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a popcorn admixture package in which correctly proportioned amounts of unpopped kernels of corn and of solidified vegetable fat are contained in a single preadmixed product and retained in fresh and pleasingly edible form until such time as said product is removed from its package, heated, and so, prepared for consumption.

I am well aware that heretofore, packaged popcorn products have been prepared and marketed with some degrees of success. Certain of such products consist of separately packaged pre-measured and proportioned amounts of popcorn kernels, liquid oil, and seasoning, all retained in a common receptacle; others of admixed quantities of unpopped popcorn kernels and liquid oil contained in an evacuated receptacle, and still others, of quantities of unpopped popcorn kernels and semi-solid (pourable) oil in an evacuated container. Another thereof consists of a body of solidified edible oil in which a pre-measured amount of unpopped popcorn kernels are embedded or suspended.

As regards the liquid oil and semi-solid oil component products, because of the manners of their packaging, the cost of the same is undesirably high, the ultimate saturation of the kernels with the liquid or semi-solid oil deteriorates the same to a point of unacceptability, also, the step-by-step opening and subsequent admixing of the product ingredients is time absorbing. The last mentioned product, while capable of being wholly placed in a receptacle for heat preparation, is unsatisfactory to a point of purchase refusal because (1) enzymatic reaction occurs in the solidified edible oil making the same rancid and substantially unfit for consumption; (2) the time required to heat prepare the product for consumption is prohibitively long, hence, objectionable, and (3) the unpopped kernels retained in the solidified edible oil are frequently scorched or burned during heating preparation of the product, and so, rendered unpalatable.

The above noted disadvantages and faults are eliminated by and from my improved product. In point with such claim, it may be stated that the product of my invention is capable of (a) being produced at a minimum of cost; (b) being hermetically contained in and dispensable from a single economically expendable package, thereby further improving its cost economies and such as conditions or preference may dictate.

2,702,24 Patented Feb. 15, 19E

rendering it most desirably advantageous and convex ent for marketing, sales displaying and using; (c) r taining its original form and taste properties and fres ness; (d) being heat treated for consumption in a peri( of time considerably less than that required to similar prepare kindred prior products; (e) being heat treati to a degree sufficient to effect popping without burnii or scorching of the kernels and/or the fat componer and (f) avoiding the occurence of hydrolytic action or like decomposition of the pre-measured and admixc ingredients thereof.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantag and meritorious teachings of my invention, will be part obvious and in part pointed out in the followir detailed disclosure thereof when taken in conjunctic with the accompanying drawings, it being understoc that the form of the invention presented herein is prl cise and what is now considered to be the best mode t embodying its principles, but that modifications an changes may be made in specific embodiments withol departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a satisfactory fori of package containing my improved product, and

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail in elevation of my in proved product per se, showing the manner in which th aked solidified vegetable fat is distributed with rel: tion to or between the unpopped popcorn kernels whe the same are packaged, and also, when they are di: pensed from the package and deposited onto a heatin surface.

The invention, in its accomplishment, involves meritorious method of preparing unpopped popcor kernels for popping, and the product of that method.

The product, per se, as illustrated in Figure 2 of th accompanying drawings, is comprised of a preferre grade of unpopped popcorn kernels or raw popcor kernels 1 and a fiakedl (solidified) synthetic vegetabl fat 2. The corn kernels 1 and the fiaked vegetable fa 2 are comingled or admixed (see Figure 2) whereb when and as being heat treated to effect popping of th corn kernels, the flakes will be distributed bodil throughout and between the same. Thus, when th flakes are heated and melted, as when contacted wit a sufliciently heated admixture receiving surface, th latter will be overall filmed or covered with the thei liquid vegetable fat, and at the same time, the raw cori kernels will be efectually, evenly and thoroughly sub jected to and impregnated therewith. Consequently said kernels will be ensured of individual popping t4 maximum and more or less uniform size; of being ren dered bodily tender and yet crisp, and flavorfully tasti enhanced (seasoned); all being accomplished withou the hazard of burning, scorching or similar product de terioration or spoilage.

A satisfactory embodiment of the improved produc admixture is the following: Unpopped popcorn kernel (by weight), approximately sixty six and two-third (662/370) percent; and liaked (solidified) vegetable fa (by weight), approximately thirty three and one-thin (331/s%) percent.

Weight percentages of the admixture ingredients, a1 above set forth, may vary somewhat within the purviev or spirit of my invention, but not materially, withou detrimentally affecting the meritorious qualities of tht product thereof.

Admixing of the ingredients of the product can, o1 course, be effected manually or mechanically. It is deI sirable, however, that such admixing shall be done witi a minimum of breakage or disintegration of the fiakec or solidified vegetable fat and without damaging the rau popcorn kernels, particularly, their thin skinlike coverings or husks.

Following the admixing of the aforesaid product ngredients, said product is hermetically packaged. Different yet satisfactory forms of packages may be employed. The size of the packages may vary, i. e.` amounts of the product suitable for individual servings of the ultimately popped popcorn may be packaged, or relatively greater amounts thereof may be packaged, Also, it package is of such material,

is to be understood that the institution, and/or formas to beeconomically ex- :ndable following the emptying of its contents thereom. Y l

One satisfactory lform of package of the product is .own in Figurel of the drawings. Herein, an amount- I' said product is introduced into a sleeve-like body ot m or sheet plastic 3. Thereupon, the opposite ends of e body are closed, usually by heat sealing, as at 4, or

lier methods well known and practiced in the art ofodstuff packaging. There results a more or less flat ickage of advantageous and conveniently handleable, iippable and displayable qualities. The package marial being impervious to air or other fluids, hermetitlly seals the product therein, preventing deterioration I' the same and ensuring preservation of its freshness id other inherent properties over a prolonged period time.

To use my improved product, i. e., prepare it for conimmation, the containing package is so opened, as by itting or tearing, that its contents may be poured thereom onto a sufficiently heated receiving surface, such a the bottom of a corn popping pan, etc. Being thus spensed, the package may be disposed of.

The tlaked solidified vegetable fat of the product ad- .ixture being distributed or dispersed more or less evenover the heated receiving surface, will be rapidly holly melted and converted to liquid or oil consistency. ecause of its dispersal'` over said surface, the now liqid vegetable fat or oil will quickly cover the same. At le same time, it will contact the raw popcorn kernels. hereby, the `kernels will be overall contacted by the ot liquid vegetable fat or oil. Thus contacted, they ill be so impregnated with the oil as to be rnost avorilly taste enhanced or seasoned, especially, when upped. Furthermore, the individual raw kernels imregnated with the heated oil will be materially accelrated `in their popping or exploding in that the natural ioisture thereof will be much more rapidly converted i gas or steam. Thus accelerated, popping of the inividual kernels will be more or less collectively effect- :l. The result of this accelerated and Vsubstantially ollective popping of the oil impregnated and heated ernels, by reason of the internal pressure or force of ie gases or steams generated therewithinz will efecta iaximum and substantially uniform dilation or expanlon of said kernels when popped. In consequence, the :sulting or ultimate popped corn will be of a most deirable tender and crisp texture, rendering it much more leasing to taste and consumption. Moreover, the end rodiict of the popping or heat treatment, as described bove, will be substantially free from culls and/or unopped or partially popped kernels, and the presence of corched or burned kernels (either popped, partially opped or unpopped) in said end product due to overly :ng contact with heatwill be substantially if not enrely eliminated.

If wanted, additional seasoning or tlavoring may be nparted to the popped corn by admixing the same, in :quired proportions, to the mixture, as to or with the aked solidified vegetable fat.

The unpopped corn, as and while being admixed with ne aked vegetable fat, and when and While packaged i its admixed state, will not be contacted by such vegeible fat in oil form due to the constantly maintained olidity thereof.V Consequently, the com kernels will be revented from becoming saturated, soggy and damaged, nd because thereofwill retain their original moisture ontent and freshness. It is also of importance to proprkeeping qualities of the product of my invention that ecause the solidified flaked fat or oil is loosely distribued between and around the raw popcorn kernels, theV lakes have or make an absolute minimum of contact Vith said kernels. Hence, an absolute minimum of conact of oil to kernels results. This leaves free or void riterstices between the flakes and kernels. Thereby, the letrimental action of hydrolysis is greatly lessened, if tot eliminated. Consequently, the period of satisfacory shelf-life of the product is materially increased or rrolonged far' beyond the period of shelf-life of previous lroducts of sirriilar character.

The tlaked solidified vegetable fat, it should be noted, las a comparatively low melting-point; it melts quickly ind completely, in marked contradistinction to being the raw popcorn kernels of the admixture.

gradually or slowly meltable when subjected to heat.

ience, the need for prolonged or ciimpai'ativelyL pro- 4 longed periods of heating to effect melting of said naked vegetable fat is obviated, and thereby, as will'be readily appreciated by workers skilled in this art, the hazard of overheating, burning, and/or scorching the raw corn kernels during their heat treatment for popping will be greatly and beneficially reduced, if not eliminated. Furthermore, because the solidified vegetable fat flakes are well comingledl with and dispersed throughout and between the raw Vpopcorn kernels of the admixture, they will be more or less evenly distributed over a `heated or other receiving surface when poured thereonto fromI their opened package. They will have maximum areal contact with such surface. .Therefore, when this surface is heated, a materially increased rate or speed of `melting of the same willV result. Such an accelerated melting will, asV above inferred, Vquicken the poppng lof t t e same time, the quickened period will be entirely sufficient to impregnate the corn kernels with the now liquified vegetable fat whereby to season, and so, enhance the flavor or taste of the popped product; also, to ensure, as heretofore described, dilation or expansion of the individual kernels to maximum and, generally, uniform size.

I claim: Y

l. A method of preparing unpopped popcorn kernels for popping and preserving the same, which consists of admixing a pre-measured and predetermined quantity of unpopped popcorn kernels with a pre-measured and predetermined relatively proportioned quantity of solid flakes of vegetable fat, and hermetically packaging theY admixing an amount of unpopped popcorn kernels withV a predetermined relatively proportioned amount of flaked solid vegetable fat having a low and sharply effectable melting point.

4. A method vfor preparing unpopped .popcorn kernels for popping and preserving the same, which consists of admixing approximately sixty six and two-thirds percent (66%%) unpopped popcorn kernels with approximately thirty three and one-third percent (33%%) flaked vegetable fat, and hermetically packaging the same.

5. A method f or preparing unpopped popcorn kernels for popping, which consists of admixing approximately sixty six and two-thirds percent (66%%) unpopped popcorn kernels with approximately thirty three and onethird percent (S31/3%) flaked solidified vegetable fat.

6. Ari edible prepared product, comprising unpopped 9. An edible prepared product comprising approximately sixty six and two-thirds percent (66%%) unpopped popcorn kernels and approximately thirty three and one-third percent G3i/5%) aked solidified vege- :albl fat, and the admixture being hermetically cone 10. An edible prepared product, comprising unpopped popcorn kernels and aked solidified vegetable fat having the characteristics of rapid meltability and a low melting point.

11. A packaged edible prepared product, comprising unpopped popcorn kernels, and flakes ofV solidified fat dispersed about and between the'kernels, effecting void interstices between the same and said kernels.

References Cited in the tile of this patent srA'rns PATENTS 2,518,247 Naim Aug. s, o

Martin July 22, 1952 

1. A METHOD OF PREPARING UNPOPPED POPCORN KERNELS FOR POPPING AND PRESERVING THE SAME, WHICH CONSISTS OF ADMIXING A PRE-MEASURED AND PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF UNPOPPED POPCORN KERNELS WITH A PRE-MEASURED AND PREDETERMINED RELATIVELY PROPORTIONED QUANTITY OF SOLID FLAKES OF VEGETABLE FAT, AND HERMETICALLY PACKAGING THE SAME. 